DARDANELLE — The Yell County Sheriff’s Department shut down its jail facility here Sunday night, following the escape of three inmates from the jail that afternoon.

Sheriff Bill Gilkey cited funding concerns as the reason for the closure and said he does not have the means to adequately staff the facility.

“It’s a safety factor for the employees and the citizens in the county,” he said. “... We did the best we could with what we have, and we’re just not going to play that game any more.”

Gilkey’s decision came after an incident Sunday afternoon, when Seth Chowning and Bret Cooksey overpowered a jailer while walking back into the jail from the exercise yard. After a prolonged struggle, the two were able to take the keys from the jailer and lock him in a cell.

The two then used the keys to release Jacqueline Stobaugh, a female inmate, and the three escaped from the jail.

All three inmates were captured within eight hours, and are each being held on a $1 million bond.

Now, all county inmates will be housed at the jail facility in Danville. Gilkey said he would reopen the Dardanelle facility only if adequate funding is provided by the Quorum Court.

“If they will staff it where it’s safe for the people of Yell County and the people that work there, I’ll open it immediately,” he said.

“But that ball’s in their court. I’ve shouldered the responsibility and the liability of it too long, and I’m just not going to do it any more.”

Yell County Judge Mark Thone declined to comment on the matter and said the issue will be discussed by the Quorum Court.

Gilkey said he was unsure if other counties in the state with two county seats maintain one or two jail facilities.